Carlow Businesses receive more than €3.3 million in grants through ICOB

Local Carlow Fianna Fáil TD Jennifer Murnane O'Connor has confirmed more than €3.3 million has been paid to Carlow businesses under the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) scheme.

It comes as Deputy Murnane O'Connor's party colleague Minister of State for Trade Promotion Dara Calleary TD, confirmed payments under the Government grant scheme reached more than €200 million nationwide to some 81,000 small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs).

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The ICOB grant was designed to help SMEs with the increased costs associated with running a business and was administered by the local authorities on behalf of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

“I’m delighted that nationwide payments under the Increased Cost of Business Scheme have exceeded the €200 million mark,” Deputy Murnane O'Connor said.

“These funds are directly helping small and medium sized businesses across the country deal with day-to-day expenses. It’s a practical and targeted Government support.

“In Carlow, a total of €3,399,588 worth of payments were issued to businesses in the county. Some 1,098 businesses received €2,186,062 in the first tranche of payments and 509 businesses received €1,214,526 in the second round of payments.

“These are significant sums of money going directly to local businesses to assist them with ongoing challenges.”

“Fianna Fáil in Government is committed to helping small businesses across the country.”

A total of €257 million is available under the scheme and further payments continue be made on a daily basis.